It’s all here. What? All the latest NASCAR news, collected from press releases and websites all across the ‘net.
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
www.hascodiecastcars.com
www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
NEW PRE-ORDERS:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2008 Defending Freedom Digital Camo Impala,
Dale Earnhardt Sr. And Johnny Cash “Man In Black” Monte Carlo/Hauler,
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1/24th Mesma Chrome/Color Chrome AMP And NG,
Ashley Force 2008 NHRA Castrol 1/24th Funny Car, John Force Castrol 40th,
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nationwide #83 Navy Jr.’s Division Monte Carlo,
Jr., Gordon, Martin, Keselowski, Bowyer LIQUID COLOR Salute The Troops,
Dale Jr. Whiskey River, Dale Jr. All Star 3 Doors Down Citizen Soldier,
Dale Jr. Mountain Dew Retro Scheme, Including The 1/64th Scale In A
Mountain Dew Soda Can. We Also Have The Kyle Busch Toyotas,
Visit Our Pre-Order Web Site At: www.diecastcars.net.
We Have 2008 AMP/NG/Dupont/Lowes/Cheerios/Home Depot, Bud,
Jack Daniels, Wells Fargo, Bass Pro, Fed-Ex, Nicorette, And
More At Our In-Stock Web Store www.hascodiecastcars.com.
Dale Jr. ARC Bud Cars Still 60 Per Cent Off, RCCA/Revell 35 Per Cent Off.
All Drivers Clothing Items Also Are Still Discounted 50 Per Cent Off.
www.hascodiecastcars.com.
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
www.hascodiecastcars.com
www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
Gentlemen.. Start.. Your.. Father’s Day!
by: Mike Wells
What is the meaning of Father’s Day? Is it really about giving gag gifts or ugly ties?
For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/1322
More of Mike’s articles can be read at
motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/water-from-the-wells
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Sprint Cup Top 12 and beyond heading into Michigan
Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 along with other notable drivers, going into the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 15 (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or those within striking distance of [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/309720388/
Bobby Labonte signs contract extension with Petty
Petty Enterprises has announced the signing of 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension. The contract will keep the veteran driver behind the wheel of the famed No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge through the 2012 Sprint Cup season. Labonte, 44, began driving the No. 43 Dodge in 2006. In that time, [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/309726956/
Boston Ventures invests in Petty Enterprises
Boston Ventures, a leading middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has agreed to a sizeable investment in Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The infusion of capital will allow Petty Enterprises to significantly grow the organization with the goal of returning to the pinnacle of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/309726955/
Guthrie to King Richard’s new boss: How about Sarah Fisher?
By Josh Stewart-Janet Guthrie heard that Richard Petty stonewalled a reporter asking about Danica Patrick’s first victory, and she just laughed. Been there, done that. “I would love to recall when I qualified ahead of Richard Petty at Talladega in 1977, so that we took the green flag with him in my mirrors. I don’t think he [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/309739753/
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Mother of 6 Soldiers to be Guest of U.S. Army NASCAR Team in Michigan - www.catchfence.com/press/061108m.html
Petty Enterprises Announces New Business Structure - Investors, Labonte and New CEO All Part of Team’s Future: Petty Enterprises, the most successful organization in the history of American motorsports, today announced a partnership with Boston Ventures, a leading middle market private equity firm which invests in the entertainment, media, and communications sectors. This marks the first time since Lee Petty formed the organization in 1949 that an outside firm has invested in the legendary race team. In addition to introducing new CEO David Zucker and a major investment by Boston Ventures, Petty Enterprises has also extended their contract with former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte and will integrate the operations of Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
More - www.catchfence.com/press/061108d.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
ARE INDEPENDENT TRACKS ON THE WAY OUT
Wayne County Outlook - Monticello,KY,USA
It has since been bought by Andy Hillenburg, who plans to run smaller ARCA RE/Max events. Raceway, another independent facility. …
www.wcoutlook.com/localsports/local_story_162152021.html
The Most Valuable Teams In NASCAR
Forbes - NY,USA
There’s a widening gulf in NASCAR between stock car racing’s biggest, most valuable teams and those hoping to hang on for just one more race. …
snipurl.com/2g0ez-gazete
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Heather M.
Belgian brewer offer $46 billion to buy Anheuser-Busch
www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/11/belgian-brewer-offer-46-billion-buy-anheuser-busch/
What can this do to NASCAR sponsorship?
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Kyle Busch Will Run Another Triple Weekend
Kyle Busch will again attempt to race in all three NASCAR national series races this weekend, but it should be a little easier than the three-race, three-state marathon of last weekend. Busch will compete in Saturday afternoon’s Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in a Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota. He will then travel to Kentucky Speedway to drive a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in Saturday night’s Nationwide Series race and wind up his weekend back at Michigan in his JGR Toyota in the Sprint Cup race. The truck race at Michigan is slated to start at 3 p.m. EDT Saturday, and Busch will take a helicopter from the track to a nearby airport to fly to Kentucky. The Nationwide race begins at 8:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, and afterward, Busch will fly back to Michigan for Sunday’s Cup race.
Michigan Goodyear Tire Notes
Teams in both NASCAR series will run the same tire codes at Michigan this weekend, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Craftsman Tuck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” — these teams ran this exact combination of left- and right-side tires at Dover two weeks ago — compared to the tire codes run at Michigan in 2007, there have been slight changes to the left-side construction to improve grip and performance, as well as to the right-side compound to improve treadwear — in addition to Michigan and Dover, Nationwide (this weekend) and Craftsman Truck (July 19) teams are scheduled to run this specific tire set-up at Kentucky this season — this left-side code (D-4134) will also be run with a different right-side code at Texas and Chicagoland — as on all NASCAR’s ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Michigan — air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.
Bobby Labonte Signs For Four Years
Petty Enterprises has announced the signing of 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension. The contract will keep the veteran driver behind the wheel of the famed No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge through the 2012 Sprint Cup season. Labonte, 44, began driving the No. 43 Dodge in 2006. In that time, he has garnered three top-five and 11 top-ten finishes. Labonte finished 18th in the 2007 Sprint Cup point standings, the highest finish for Petty Enterprises since the 1999. “I have known all along this is where I want to finish my racing career,” said Labonte. “The future is very bright for Petty Enterprises. As we continue to develop and learn from this new car we will increase our testing and engineering support. The investment from Boston Ventures will allow us to compete on the same level as the bigger Sprint Cup teams.” In Robbie Loomis, Jeff Meendering, Derrick Finley and others, we have some of the brightest minds in the garage area. They will continue to expand our resources which will continue to pay dividends for us both on and off of the track.”
Boston Ventures Buys Into Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises, the most successful organization in the history of American motorsports, today announced a partnership with Boston Ventures, a leading middle market private equity firm which invests in the entertainment, media, and communications sectors. This marks the first time since Lee Petty formed the organization in 1949 that an outside firm has invested in the legendary race team. In addition to introducing new CEO David Zucker and a major investment by Boston Ventures, Petty Enterprises has also extended their contract with former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte and will integrate the operations of Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
NEXT RACE: Michigan Race Info/Rundown Page
www.jayski.com/next/2008/15mis2008.htm
Chase Stats after Pocono
www.jayski.com/stats/2008/chase/14poc2008chase.htm
Entry List for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is posted, 45 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
Not in top 35 of 2008 owners points (2008 race attempts/owners pts standings in parens):
#10-Patrick Carpentier (14/41)
#21-Bill Elliott (14/43) [champ prov 2]
#34-Tony Raines (13/45)
#40-Dario Franchitti (14/39)
#45-Terry Labonte (14/42)[champ prov 1]
#55-Michael Waltrip (14/36)
#70-Jason Leffler (14/44)
#78-Joe Nemechek (14/40)
#84-A.J. Allmendinger (14/37)
#96-J.J. Yeley (14/38)
withdrew from race:
#08-TBA (6/48)
In the event qualifying is cancelled:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 45,21,55,84,96,40,78,10
missing the race would be [3]: #’s 70,34
See the full entry list at my Jayski’s Pocono Entry List
www.jayski.com/stats/2008/entries/15mis2008-entry.htm
Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Michigan:
the big change is #66-Riggs is back in the top 35 and #55-Waltrip is out
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
31) #01-Smith/Dale Earnhardt Inc 1,120, +56
32) #41-Sorenson/Ganassi Racing 1,118, +54
33) #00-McDowell/Waltrip Racing 1,105, +41
34) #66-Riggs/Haas CNC Racing, 1,086, +22
35) #77-Hornish/Penske Racing 1,076, 12 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #55-Waltrip/Waltrip Racing 1,064, -12 points out of 35th
37) #84-Allmendinger/Red Bull Racing, 936, -140
38) #96-Yeley/Hall of Fame Racing, 901, -175
39) #40-Franchitti/Ganassi Racing 888, -188
40) #78-Nemechek/Furniture Row, 752, -324
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page
www.jayski.com/stats/2008/points/14poc2008points.htm#OWN
LifeLock to Co-Sponsor Kahne at MIS and Indy: Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced that LifeLock, the nation’s leading identity theft protection service, will co-sponsor the #9 Budweiser Dodge with driver Kasey Kahne when it races at Michigan Speedway this weekend [June 15th] and at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis on July 27. LifeLock also sponsors Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver #10-Patrick Carpentier in eight Sprint Cup races in the 2008 season. Team CEO Tom Reddin said the addition of two more races to the LifeLock schedule is another sign of the growing relationship between the two companies. LifeLock has held sponsorship deals in NASCAR, open wheel and sports car racing. Recently, it announced a three-year agreement to sponsor this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan Speedway. LifeLock has created a special new offer for race fans interested in signing up for LifeLock’s services. When signing up, fans will receive LifeLock services for free for the first 60 days by using the new promotional code “GEM”. To sign up for LifeLock, fans can call 1-877-LIFELOCK or sign up online at www.evernham.com or www.lifelock.com.(GEM)(6-12-2008)
#16 Cask scheme for McMurray at MIS: In support of Father’s Day this weekend, Jamie McMurray will pilot the #26 Crown Royal Cask #16 Ford Fusion with a special Father’s Day message on the hood. McMurray’s father, Jim McMurray will have his name above the passenger door for this weekend’s race at Michigan.(Roush Fenway Racing PR), see images of the scheme on my #26 Team Schemes page.(6-12-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/26cup.htm
Montoya happier now with changes: As #42-Juan Pablo Montoya tried to explain his renewed commitment to Chip Ganassi Racing, the boss man walked up the stairs into the driver’s motor home for a surprise visit. “Were your ears burning?” Montoya asked Ganassi. “No, why? Were you talking about me?” Ganassi answered. Before his star driver could reply, the owner had Montoya in a headlock as the two playfully greeted each other at Pocono Raceway. The relationship between the two is as strong as ever, surviving a rocky stretch last month when Montoya openly questioned the direction of Ganassi’s NASCAR team. His criticism came after crew chief Donnie Wingo was transferred off his team, and a month later, replacement Jimmy Elledge was fired. It gave Montoya his third crew chief in just over a month, and despite the praise everyone around him had for Brian Pattie, the driver wasn’t pleased with the change. Montoya wasn’t convinced Pattie wanted the job, and didn’t think the crew chief liked him very much. Three races and two test sessions later, he’s had a complete change of heart. “A lot of people told me Brian would be good, but until it happens — I’ve been told so many times in my career that things are going to be great and then they are not,” Montoya said. “I’d rather wait and see. The way I’ve always been is if you expect great things, the fall is a lot bigger. This way I got to be pleasantly surprised.” Montoya has been impressed with Pattie’s dedication and focus on fostering the relationship. He praised Pattie for the frequent visits he makes to Montoya’s motor home to go over notes, future setups and, more importantly, to bond with the driver. “He’s the one making the extra effort to bond together and we go at it the right way,” Montoya said. “It gives you a lot of confidence as a driver. You can see the guy trying hard and you’ll do what he wants. You’ll go the extra mile for him. With Wingo, we worked really hard, we worked really well together and I thought it was pretty good and we had a lot of respect for each other. With Elledge, I liked the guy because he was really aggressive and he was willing to try anything whether it was stupid or not. With this guy, he’s a combination of both.” And as for the rumors that Montoya might leave Ganassi to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing next season? Nothing to them, Montoya said. “I’ve got a deal with Chip, and I am 100 percent behind Chip,” he said.(in part from the Associated Press)(6-12-2008)
Former NASCAR Crew Chief Escapes Injury In Boat Explosion: Former NASCAR crew chief Cliff Champion and three other people escaped serious injury Tuesday when the 80-foot charter boat Champion operates on Lake Norman exploded, but a 19-year-old man who was refueling the boat when the blast occurred was still missing at nightfall. Champion’s company — Championship Yacht Charters — had just finished a graduation party cruise with about 60 people when the blast occurred. The partiers had exited the three-story boat and were getting into their cars when the 19-year-old man began refueling the yacht at Westport Marina. Champion was Benny Parsons’ crew chief 1983-86 and it was during this time that the team he headed won the Ingersoll-Rand Pit Crew Championship. He also worked with Alan Kulwicki and long-time friend Ricky Rudd before deciding to start his charter business on Lake Norman about a decade ago. In his business, he worked closely with the racing community, providing charters for competitors, sponsors, race teams and Lowe’s Motor Speedway. On May 17, he hosted an Appreciation Day for the Armed Forces, providing a day of cruises for troops from Fort Bragg and Fort Jackson and Marines from Camp Lejeune.(see full story at GoFastNews.com and updates at wsoctv.com)(6-12-2008)
www.wsoctv.com/news/16561909/detail.html
MWR in trouble? UPDATE2 denied again: “In response to the baseless comments posted on an anonymous web site this week, I want to be clear that categorizing Michael Waltrip Racing as anything other than growing would be incorrect,” said Calvin Wells III, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Michael Waltrip Racing. “The partnership formed between Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman last October has allowed MWR to meet our short-term objectives while setting the course for our long-term success. MWR is financially sound but fiscally responsible, as all race team owners should be. We have made some recent moves to re-allocate our funds towards areas which will maintain long-term success for MWR, including significant capital investments in equipment, continued expansion of our engineering staff, a more concentrated effort with our test team and the expansion of our Sales/Marketing division with the recent hiring of a Chief Marketing Officer, while broadening our alliances with Toyota Racing Development and other technology partners. In only our second year, MWR maintains a growth pattern towards success and continues to be a destination point for fans, employees, drivers and sponsors, just as Michael Waltrip believed it would be when he embarked on this life-long dream two years ago.”(Michael Waltrip Racing)(6-11-2008)
NASCAR chairman Brian France says a former official who’s suing the organization never reported discrimination or harassment claims to her supervisors. Mauricia Grant filed a $225 million suit against NASCAR on Tuesday, alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliatory termination. France said Wednesday the detailed filing was the first NASCAR learned of her claims. “The disappointing thing is she makes a lot of claims, none of them reported,” he said.(Associated Press)(6-11-2008)
___________________________________________________________
What if I were to tell you that there’s a tested(by numerous corporate accounts), proven way that you could start using *today* to save 7-19%(that would be from 28 to 75 cents based on today’s $3.95/gal regular price) on your gas bill for filling up your car? And what if you could put money in your pocket by making this product available to others?
There is - and tens of thousands of Americans are using it right now to save money.
It’s been on the news, and there are countless videos on YouTube that prove it, including great pieces by FOX local stations in Dallas and Phoenix. However, surprisingly few people even know about it.
www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=779DCA59F50EA8B5
Used and endorsed by the Unser family, the winningest family in the history of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’. ‘Little Al’s diesel Ford Excursion mileage has increased from 13 to 17.3MPG. And recently named ‘The Official Fuel Reformulator of the Firestone Indy Lights Series’.
You can check out the details here: snipurl.com/29ohu-gazete
PS: In case you’re wondering, this IS NOT the magic “gas pill” you may have seen on TV. You’ve got to watch the videos to see just what an impact this is having on people’s lives:
(advertisement)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com
Kingdom’s end? Richard Petty doesn’t think so
CONCORD, N.C. Richard Petty realizes that his family’s sale of a majority ownership in Petty Enterprises could signal the end of an era. Read More…
snipurl.com/2g0ay-gazete
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
June is for Birthdays … AT&T driver Jeff Burton will celebrate his 41st birthday on June 29. Additionally, two members of the AT&T Racing team will celebrate birthdays this month. Fabricator and rear-tire changer Aaron Smith turns 30 on June 27. Mechanic and pit support specialist Chad Tigert turns 34 on June 30.
__________
Robby Gordon will be signing autographs on Sunday at his souvenir trailer at 10:45 a.m. at Michigan International Speedway.
__________
STATEMENT BY MIKE ACCAVITTI:
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.(June 11, 2008) — Responding to Petty Enterprises’ announcement of a partnership with Boston Ventures, Mike Accavitti, Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and Motorsports Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC, issued the following statement:
“Dodge fully supports Petty Enterprises as they take the steps they feel will put their organization back in the winners circle. Petty Enterprises is an upstanding organization with exemplary values and is a pillar of NASCAR racing. We are proud to be associated with the Petty family and their entire organization and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”
__________
JOEY FENNIG FOLLOWS IN HIS FATHERS FOOTSTEPS
CONCORD, N.C. (June 11, 2008) – The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the Fennig family. Jimmy Fennig, David Ragan’s crew chief on the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion, has someone following right in his footsteps. That shadow is his 16-year old son Joey Fennig. Joey is currently a member of the AAA team and an employee of Roush Fenway Racing. Joey just completed his junior year of high school and will spend his summer working at the shop and traveling with the team on the weekends.
During the school year Fennig works in the shop after school and comes to the track with the raceday team to help out. With school being out for summer, Joey will spend his days working at the shop with his father and the set-up team, and will travel to a majority of the races. Jimmy Fennig stresses that school comes first, but racing is a close second.
“Joey is mature beyond his years and manages to excel in his academics as well as racing,” said Fennig. “If this is what he wants to do in the future then I will support him 100 percent.”
Joey has some big shoes to fill. Jimmy Fennig has had a successful career and has worked with such drivers as Bobby Allison, Mark Martin, Dick Trickle and won the 2004 Sprint Cup Championship with Kurt Busch. In 2007 Jack Roush paired Jimmy Fennig with the rookie driver David Ragan. The experience of Fennig is exactly what Ragan needed. Ragan finished fifth in the Daytona 500 and was the runner up for the rookie-of-the-year award. The duo are currently in their second season together had have two top-five and three top-10 finishes, and currently sit just seven points out of the top 12 in the point standings.
“I started working at Roush last summer and tried to make it to as many races as I could last year,” said Joey. “In a sport like this you are always working or traveling so it’s great to get to spend time with my Dad and I’ve learned a lot from him. Next year I’m going to be a senior and my goal is to go to college and someday be a crew chief like my Dad. I’m not sure exactly what my major will be or where I’ll go to school, but hopefully, it will be somewhere nearby so I can keep traveling and working with the team.”
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing operates 13 full-time motorsports teams, five in NASCAR Sprint Cup with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan; four in the Nationwide Series with Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, McMurray, Ragan, Erik Darnell and Colin Braun; three in the Craftsman Truck Series with Darnell, Braun, Kvapil, Bobby East and John Wes Townley; and one in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto www.RoushFenway.com. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
NEXT RACE: Meijer 300, 8:30pm/et, Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Kentucky Speedway
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/16kentucky.htm
Entry List: There are 47 cars on the Preliminary entry list for the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway. The complete list is posted on the Kentucky Race Page.(6-9-2008)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/16kentucky.htm#entry
Goodyear Tire Notes
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/16kentucky.htm#tire
NASCAR Kentucky News & Notes
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/16kentucky.htm#notes
Nationwide Series Live in Prime Time from Kentucky on ESPN2: ESPN2s season-long coverage of the Nationwide Series continues with a live telecast of the event at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., near Cincinnati, on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 8 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. The race also airs in high definition on ESPN2 HD and will be simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN MobileTV and ESPN Deportes. Marty Reid will be the lead announcer for ESPN2s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch will report from the pits, while Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio. Fresh from his breakthrough win in last weeks event in Nashville, Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski joins ESPNs coverage team as In-Race Reporter. Keselowski will talk to Wallace on the races pace laps and during caution periods. ESPN2 also airs coverage of final practice for the event Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m., and qualifying on Saturday at 5 p.m.(ESPN PR)(6-9-2008)
Cope Making First Start at Kentucky: You’d be hard-pressed to find a race track in which Derrike Cope hasn’t raced at. After all, he’s one of the more experienced drivers in the garage area, with extensive seat time in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. But there’s one track Cope hasn’t competed at - Kentucky. He does have experience at the track from various testing sessions. However, he’ll get an entirely new look in the heat of battle as Cope and the #4-JVC Everio team trek to Kentucky for Saturday night’s race.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(6-11-2008)
NASCAR chairman Brian France says a former official who’s suing the organization never reported discrimination or harassment claims to her supervisors. Mauricia Grant filed a $225 million suit against NASCAR on Tuesday, alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliatory termination. France said Wednesday the detailed filing was the first NASCAR learned of her claims. “The disappointing thing is she makes a lot of claims, none of them reported,” he said.(Associated Press)(6-11-2008)
Teams Line Up Backup Drivers for Kentucky: Several Nationwide Series teams have lined up backup drivers to fill in during some practice sessions for this weekend’s Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway for sessions when their regular drivers have Sprint Cup commitments at Michigan International Speedway. Stephen Leicht is filling in for points leader Clint Bowyer in Richard Childress Racing’s #2 Chevy, with Jeremy Clements practicing and qualifying Joe Gibbs Racing’s #18 Toyota for Kyle Busch. Busch is the only driver not expected in time for Nationwide qualifying Saturday. Other backup drivers are Jason Hedlesky (in Carl Edwards’ #60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford), Chad Blount (in Jason Leffler’s #38 Braun Racing Toyota), Auggie Vidovich (in David Ragan’s #6 Roush Fenway Ford) and Josh Wise (in David Reutimann’s #99 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota). Wise is expected to drive the #99 in Friday’s first practice before turning to the #22 Fitz Motorsports Dodge the rest of the weekend. Reutimann is slated to drive the #99 in final practice and in qualifying.(SceneDaily.com)(6-11-2008)
___________________________________________________________
NATIONWIDE INSURANCE DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED PROGRAM TO VISIT FLORENCE, KY., MEIJER STORE JUNE 12
Nationwide Insurance will bring its “Driving While Distracted” program to the Meijer store at 4990 Houston Rd., in Florence, Ky., on June 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The teen-targeted program illustrates the complications created when drivers attempt to multi-task while operating their vehicle through the use of simulators and other educational tools. NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Eric McClure and Brad Keselowski will be guest driving instructors and sign autographs during the event. The program will begin at 5:00 p.m., and drivers will greet fans from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fans will be able to enjoy Wii gaming, a Hewlett Packard photo creation station, shopping through the Meijer Virtual Playground along with culinary delights from the John Morrell Grilling Van beginning at 2:00 p.m. Activities conclude at 8:00 p.m. All activities are open to the public.
NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES DRIVERS KENNY WALLACE AND SCOTT WIMMER TO VISIT CINCINNATI’S FOUNTAIN SQUARE JUNE 13
NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Kenny Wallace and Scott Wimmer will greet fans on Cincinnati’s Fountain Square Friday, June 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., during Kentucky Speedway’s “Pit Stop on the Square.” The event will feature music, Meijer soda, Johnsonville brats on Sara Lee buns, Oreos, Edy’s Grand Ice Cream Dibbs and a chance to win tickets to the June 14 “Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo.” Square visitors also will be able to see Wallace’s U.S. Border Patrol racecar and interact with Kentucky Speedway’s Horsepower mascot and Big Green mascot from the U.S. Border Patrol. Wallace and Wimmer will be part of the 43-car field that also will include NASCAR Nationwide Series standings leader and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Clint Bowyer along with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings leader Kyle Busch and two-time Kentucky Speedway race winner and defending Nationwide Series Champion Carl Edwards.
___________________________________________________________
C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Michigan Int’l Speedway: Cool City Custom 200; Saturday, June 14, 2008; SPEED/TV - Prerace 2:30pm; Race 3:00pm/et. Complete race information is posted on the Michigan Race Page.
www.jayski.com/cts/next/2008/10michigan2008.htm
Preliminary Entry List: There are 33 trucks on the preliminary entry list for the Cool City Custom 200 at Michigan Int’l Speedway. Complete entry list is posted on the Michigan Race Page.(6-9-2008)
Note: TJ Bell returns to the #7 TRG Motorsports Chevy.(6-10-2008)
www.jayski.com/cts/next/2008/10michigan2008.htm#entry
News & Notes: NASCAR’s Prerace News & Notes for the Cool City Custom 200 at Michigan Int’l Speedway are posted on the Michigan Race Page.(6-9-2008)
www.jayski.com/cts/next/2008/10michigan2008.htm#notes
Roush to perform flyover for Cool City Customs 200: Anyone who knows longtime team owner and Livonia, Mich., resident Jack Roush will tell you that he has two loves, NASCAR racing and aviation. Roush will get the best of both worlds on Saturday during pre-race activities for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Roush, who is an avid pilot, will perform the flyover in his P-51 plane for the Cool City Customs 200. He will be accompanied by some of his friends piloting T-6 aircrafts. It is the first time Roush has performed a flyover for a NASCAR race. After the flyover, Roush will helicopter back from Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., and be back at the Irish Hills track for the race, which will feature three of his drivers, Erik Darnell, Colin Braun and Bobby East.(Michigan Int’l Speedway PR)(6-11-2008)
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
ARCA RE/MAX Series Heads Home to Michigan Int’l Speedway; Gates Open for 27th Running
BROOKLYN MI (6-11-08) – After a busy early-season, eight-race swing, the ARCA RE/MAX Series has found its way home to Michigan Int’l Speedway.
Long recognized as the series’ hometown superspeedway, the renowned two-mile oval is located about an hour away from ARCA’s home office in Temperance, Michigan.
And it’s here in the Irish Hills this weekend where the ARCA RE/MAX Series is kicking off a big weekend of high-profile stock car racing that begins with the 27th Racing For Wildlife 200 Friday afternoon – the show opener for the weekend’s NASCAR double header featuring the Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday and SPRINT Cup Series finale on Sunday.
At present, more than 40 ARCA RE/MAX Series cars have already made their way into the garage area Wednesday in time for on-track activity beginning Thursday morning. Practice for the Racing For Wildlife 200 at Michigan is from 10:00 AM – 12 noon Thursday, June 12th followed by SIM Factory Pole Award Qualifying at 3:00 PM. Justin Hobgood is the current one-lap track record holder at Michigan with a speed of 188.210 mph set back in 2004. The race is LIVE on SPEED Friday, June 13th at 5:00 PM ET.
With 45 top-notch teams entered, two-time Michigan winner and nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, the only repeat winner at Michigan in the last 14 races here, will most assuredly have his hands full.
Entrants include current point leader Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., a development driver under the Roush Fenway Racing banner, second in points Matt Carter (son of Travis Carter) and Eddie Sharp Racing’s Scott Speed, a Formula 1 veteran, currently third in points. All three top championship contenders are rookies. Stenhouse, following his win last Saturday at Pocono, is the first repeat winner of the 2008 season after eight events. 2008 winners include Michael Annett at Daytona, Justin Allgaier at Salem, Matt Hawkins at Iowa, Speed at Kansas, Joey Logano at Rockingham, Stenhouse at Kentucky and Pocono and Carter at Toledo. Hawkins, Logano, Stenhouse and Carter are all first-time winners.
This year’s Michigan entry list carries a good bit of home state flavor with entries from Robb Brent (Shelby Township), Phil Bozell (Portage), Michael Simko (Clarkston), Brad Smith (Shelby Township), Larry Hollenbeck (Kalamazoo) and Billy Leslie (Algonac). Leslie is the son of Tracy Leslie, the 1988 ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion and Michigan winner in 1990. Additional Michigan winners over the years make up an impressive list; some of them include Joe Ruttman, Tim Steele, Jeff Purvis, Kimmel, Kerry Earnhardt, Steve Wallace, Casey Mears and Erik Darnell.
Tickets for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Racing For Wildlife 200 and the entire 2008 Michigan Int’l Speedway season are available by contacting the Michigan Int’l Speedway ticket office at 1-866-989-RACE or through www.michiganinternationalspeedway.com.
___________________________________________________________
U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of USAR
usarprocup.com
Gordon Hopes to Bottle Lightning
usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2721
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
localracing.nascar.com/news/6
___________________________________________________________
CASCAR takes stock of its future
Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada
Mark Dilley admits that as recently as two years ago he wasn’t sure if he would be able to continue making a living as a stock car racing driver. …
www.thestar.com/Sports/article/441144
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News and Notes - Mosport Int’l Raceway
By GREGM(GREGM)
Brown’s Canadian Tire Series program, racing out of Brantford, Ont., will look this weekend for a reversal of fortune. The 2007 season was full of bad luck and this season did not get started much better. …
insidetracknews.blogspot.com/2008/06/nascar-canadian-tire-series-news-and.html
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
France is Wrong - Kentucky Speedway is the Perfect Place: One of NASCAR’s premiere Nationwide Series races is just a week away. The focus at Kentucky Speedway will once again be on the Sprint Cup Series, or the lack of a Cup race at the Midwest track brimming with potential.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/061108Lintner.asp
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly or Wouldn’t It Be Nice To Do It Again With Kasey Kahne: Okay, I made a BAD prediction. You see, to mess around with yet another Beach Boy tune, I thought the excitement would be really low, down in Pocono. Yet, I’m not sure if it really was all that exciting or maybe that TNT just made it appear that way.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/061008Thornton.asp
Kahne’s Hot - Really!: A hot day, hot cars and a hot driver, Kasey Kahne enjoyed the Budweiser Beer Bath in the Pocono Raceway victory lane after winning the Pocono 500.
www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/060808Finnegan_Cup.asp
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/061208.html
Two Tortoises, a Hare and a Missing Gopher
by Brian Watkins
Biffle: Future Part-Time Ride Just A Pipe Dream
snipurl.com/2g0e3-gazete
DVD Review: ESPN Inside Access-Jeff Gordon
snipurl.com/2g0eb-gazete
RaceTalkRadio.com:
Racers Should Race by Dennis Michelsen
www.racetalkradio.com/soz/id139.htm
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Carolyn’s Jeff Gordon Newsletter - cakes24@juno.com
Thursday - June 12
1:00 A.M. - NASCAR Now on ESPN2
1:00 A.M. - Drafting Partners on GAC
12:00 P.M. - Pocono NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Replay on SPEED
1:00 P.M. - Drafting Partners on GAC
2:00 P.M. - 1992 Champion Spark Plug 400on ESPNC
5:30 P.M. - Pocono NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Pocono 500 on HDNet
6:00 P.M. - NASCAR Now on ESPN2
7:00 P.M. - Drafting Partners on GAC
Friday - June 13
1:00 A.M. - NASCAR Now onESPN2
11:00 A.M. - NASCAR Live on SPEED
11:30 A.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice on SPEED
1:00 P.M. - Go or Go Home on SPEED
1:30 P.M. - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Final Practice on SPEED
3:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying on SPEED
6:00 P.M. - NASCAR Now on ESPN2
7:00 P.M. - NASCAR Nationwide Series Final Practice on ESPN2
8:00 P.M. - Trackside at Michigan onSPEED
9:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying on SPEED
11:00 P.M. - Tradin’ Paint on SPEED
Saturday - June 14
1:00 A.M. - NASCAR Now ESPN2
1:30 A.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying on SPEED
9:00 A.M. - Drafting Partners onGAC
12:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice on SPEED
1:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice on SPEED
2:30 P.M. - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Set-Up on SPEED
3:00 P.M. - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Cool City Customs 200 on SPEED
5:00 P.M. - NASCAR Nationwide Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying onESPN2
7:00 P.M. - Tradin’ Painton SPEED
7:00 P.M. - NASCAR Specials: Dale Jr. - Shifting Gears on ESPN2
7:30 P.M. - NASCAR Performance on SPEED
8:00 P.M. - NASCAR Nationwide Series Countdown on ESPN2
8:30 P.M. - NASCAR Nationwide Series: Meijer 300 presented by Oreo on ESPN2
Sunday - June 15
1:30 A.M. - NNS: Meijer 300 presented by Oreo on ESPN2
9:30 A.M. - NASCAR Performance on SPEED
10:00 A.M. - NASCAR Now on ESPN2
10:00 A.M. - NASCAR in a Hurry on SPEED
10:30 A.M. -NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED
12:30 P.M. - NASCAR on TNT Live! and Allstate Countdown to Green on TNT
2:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Michigan on TNT
7:00 P.M. - SPEED Report on SPEED
8:00 P.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory Lane on SPEED
9:00 P.M. -Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain onSPEED
10:00 P.M. - Drafting Partners on GAC
Monday - June 16
8:00 A.M. - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Victory Lane on SPEED
9:00 A.M. - Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED
We do not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
lists.motorsportsnews.net/mailman/listinfo/stockcargazette
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSWORD, you can have it e-mailed to you from the above SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE link.
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mike Irwin, Owner/Webmaster
E-mail: Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
AIM: motorsportsnews7
www.MotorSportsNews.Net
P. O. Box 668
Nicholasville, KY 40340-0668
859-750-1973
By the way, do YOU know for sure? You can. Click the link.
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________
Car Insurance